PUBLIC INPUT ON CREATING A POLICY AGENDA FOR AGING IN MICHIGAN A Report On Public Forums Held Throughout Michigan On Important Aging Topics Caregiving, Economics, Community, Health State of Michigan Office of Services to the Aging Sharon L. Gire, MSW, Director August 2005 IN APPRECIATION… The Office of Services to the Aging extends its heartfelt thanks to the Content Committee members who met several times to design proposals for consideration by the public in the conduct of this project. This group of some 60 people was reconvened after the five public forums to review and refine the outcomes, and to help the Office of Services to the Aging identify common themes and overlapping issues discussed among the forums. Our appreciation, as well, to the 606 people – interested Michigan citizens – who participated in the forums. Without their suggestions, ideas, and constructive criticism, this project would have been nothing more than a meaningless exercise. And finally, a special thank you to a special group of people – the Office of Services to the Aging staff. As always, they were the glue that held this project together, and should be commended for their hard work and dedication to the older citizens of Michigan. No one shall be excluded from participation in any service or activity because of race, age, sex, national origin, or disability, in compliance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. PUBLIC INPUT ON CREATING A POLICY AGENDA FOR AGING IN MICHIGAN STATE OF MICHIGAN OFFICE OF SERVICES TO THE AGING Sharon L. Gire, MSW, Director Peggy J. Brey, MSW, Deputy Director MISSION To promote independence and enhance the dignity of Michigan’s older persons and their families through advocacy, leadership, and innovation. P.O. Box 30676, Lansing, MI 48909-8176 www.miseniors.net Phone: (517) 373.8230 Fax: (517) 373.4092 TDD: (517) 373.4096 The contents contained herein represent the outcomes of five public policy forums held throughout the state, and do not necessarily represent the views, policy positions, or opinions of the State of Michigan. These “independent aging agenda events” were designed, in part, to provide input to the Policy Committee of the 2005 White House Conference on Aging. They were not sponsored, nor endorsed by the White House, and do not in any way represent policies, positions, or opinions of the 2005 White House Conference on Aging or the federal government. CONTENTS INTRODUCTION................................................................................. 5 BACKGROUND Implementation..................................................................... 6 Public Forum Topics............................................................. 7 Process ................................................................................ 7 Resources ............................................................................ 8 Planning Committee ............................................................. 8 CONTENT COMMITTEE ROSTERS Economic Security................................................................ 9 Health .................................................................................. 9 Community ........................................................................... 10 Caregiving ............................................................................ 10 2005 WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE ON AGING Delegates and Alternates Appointed by Governor ............... 11 Congressional and Senatorial Appointments........................ 12 PUBLIC FORUM REPORTS Themes ................................................................................ 13 Caregiving ............................................................................ 15 Economics............................................................................ 28 Community ........................................................................... 38 Health ................................................................................... 48 INTRODUCTION his report documents the outcomes of five public forums held in Spring 2005 Tto examine issues of an aging demographic characterized as the “Baby Boom” generation. The first wave of Baby Boomers will celebrate their 60th birthdays in 2006. This will, indeed, be a milestone, as some 76 million Americans born between 1946 and 1964 begin to enter the world of aging. Not only will the Baby Boom generation age in unprecedented numbers, they will do so with vastly different attitudes, experiences, preferences, and lifestyle choices. It has been said that this generation has the potential to redefine aging. Under the leadership of the Office of Services to the Aging (OSA), five public forums were held throughout the state to embrace what this dynamic means for our society and our world…for government…for the public and private sectors…for families…for individuals. The Office of Services to the Aging sees its mission as one of being proactive by “starting the conversation” within the state government policy arena, and ultimately facilitating a plan for how Michigan will help manage the needs of this large cohort. Through five public forums, the OSA chose to hear from those who matter most – Michigan citizens. From Grand Rapids, to Troy, to Detroit, to Saginaw, to St. Ignace – over 600 people offered their ideas and suggestions on issues important to their health care and economic security; to being a caregiver and being cared for; and to what their communities can bring to bear on well being. The depth and breadth of insight of the hundreds who participated was impressive, to be sure. As you read this report, you will note that some issues have implications for state public policy, and others require action at the federal level. Those having national implications have been forwarded to the December 2005 White House Conference on Aging, and will be presented this fall to Michigan delegates attending the conference. White House Conferences on Aging, held every ten years, offer unique opportunities to renew the nation’s commitment to Older Americans through important debate on shaping long term national aging policy. The White House Conference on Aging was, in large part, the catalyst for this public policy project spearheaded by OSA. Public input received on state policy issues will be part of the public comment used in developing the next State Plan on Services to Michigan Citizens; in intra- government activities that focus on older adult issues; and in advocacy efforts for potential state legislation. Through this report, the public can be assured that its voice matters and has been heard. BACKGROUND Work began in December 2004 on organizing a series of public forums to gather ideas and suggestions on public policies affecting the aging of the Baby Boom generation. The White House Conference on Aging, scheduled for 2005, was a driving force behind this project. The work plan called for gathering groups of content experts to develop draft policy proposals for the public to consider as a starting point for discussion at each forum. Four groups of content experts representing a variety of aging interests each met a minimum of three times between late January and early March 2005 to conduct their work. The proposals developed by these groups became the basis for booklets prepared for each of the policy forums. A Commission on Services to the Aging member served as chair of each content committee, and was assisted by a team of OSA staff. IMPLEMENTATION Five public forums were held on four topics relevant to Michigan’s older adults – health, economic security, caregiving, and community. Forums were held in Grand Rapids, Troy, Detroit, Saginaw, and St. Ignace, permitting input from a broad cross section of people, interests, and geography (urban, suburban, rural). A total of 606 people participated in the events statewide; at least one-third of the participants were older citizens. Participants were provided opportunities to express opinions, be educated on issues, debate issues if needed, provide innovative solutions, and describe what was important in their daily lives. Evaluations of the public forums indicated a high degree of satisfaction with these events, with 92% ranking as above average all aspects of the forums (meeting sites, program, small group work, food services, etc.). The following points are also noteworthy: 98% of participants felt there was sufficient opportunity to speak out, 97% of attendees felt their voices were heard, 94% believed the goals of the public forums were met, and 96% felt they left with a better understanding of issues presented. The comments below are representative of those expressed by attendees: “I enjoyed the format design, inclusiveness, and group sharing.” “The facilitators and recorders were great!” “Thanks for the grassroots involvement and opportunity to speak out.” “Participants were enthusiastic and vocal.” PUBLIC FORUM TOPICS Topics discussed at the five public forums were defined by these issues: Economic Security ~ Grand Rapids Social Security, Older Workers, Health and Long Term Care Insurances, Pensions, Investments and Savings, and Consumer Protection Community ~ Troy and Saginaw Elder Friendly-Livable Communities, Information and Assistance, Resource Centers, Transportation, Mobility, and Housing Health ~ Detroit Culture in Nursing Homes, Consumer Access to Information, Healthy Lifestyles, Informed Medical Decisions, Provider Education, Medical Records, Long Term Care Information, Health Care, and Long Term Care Caregiving